Monday, September 10, 2012

Via Tricylce: Tuesday: Remembering September 11

Eleven years ago the United States was shook to its core by a terrorist attack of unprecedented scale. At the time, in response to the tragic events, Tricycle released in its next issue a special section—"September 11, Practices and Perspectives"—that shared Buddhist teachings on how to face the nation's acute suffering with patience and compassion. Join us this Tuesday in revisiting the section in remembrance of a tragedy we will never forget. 

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 10, 2012

No Reason to be Unhappy

Whether we are suffering at present or have suffered in the past, there is no reason to be unhappy. If we can remedy it, then why be unhappy? And if we cannot, there's no use in being unhappy about it—it's just one more thing to be unhappy about, which serves no purpose at all.
- H.H. the Dalai Lama, "Enduring the Fires"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through September 12th, 2012
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Sunday, September 9, 2012

Via The Idealist / FB:


Via FB:


Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 8, 2012

Enjoy Just Sitting

Whatever technique one is using, remember that the spirit of practice is more important than the technique. Finding a way to enjoy just sitting is key. Sitting meditation is a refuge, not a test.
- Narayan Liebenson Grady, "The Refuge of Sitting"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through September 10th, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 9, 2012

The Poignancy of this Fleeting Moment

Awareness itself is the primary currency of the human condition, and as such it deserves to be spent carefully. Sitting quietly in a serene environment, letting go of the various petty disturbances that roil and diminish consciousness, and experiencing as fully as possible the poignancy of this fleeting moment—this is an enterprise of deep intrinsic value, an aesthetic experience beyond words.
- Andrew Olendzki, "Busy Signal"

Friday, September 7, 2012

2 From Gay Politics Report:

  • First lady fires up LGBT delegates
    First lady Michelle Obama spoke at a luncheon honoring openly LGBT elected officials and Democratic National Convention delegates in Charlotte, N.C., this week, thanking attendees for their activism. “I want to thank you for doing everything that you do every single day to lift up our communities and move this country forward, and ensure that all Americans are treated fairly no matter who they are or who they love,” Obama said. The event was co-sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign. The Charlotte Observer (N.C.) (9/5), Advocate.com (9/5) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:


Daily Buddhist Wisdom






Devoid of form and color, Excelling the sense of realms, Is this wondrous mind Out-reaching words and phrases.
- Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 7, 2012

Many Ways Up the Mountain

There are many ways up the mountain, but each of us must choose a practice that feels true to his own heart. It is not necessary for you to evaluate the practices chosen by others.
- Jack Kornfield, "Take the One Seat"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through September 9th, 2012
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Via The Pragmatic Progressive FB Page:

 

"If you reject the notion that this nation’s promise is reserved for the few, your voice must be heard in this election.

If you reject the notion that our government is forever beholden to the highest bidder, you need to stand up in this election.

If you believe that new plants and factories can dot our landscape; that new energy can power our future; that new schools can provide ladders of opportunity to this nation of dreamers; if you believe in a country where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules, then I need you to vote this November." — Barack Obama

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Via JMG: Barney Frank Slams Log Cabin


"Frankly I’ve been appalled to see the Log Cabin club, in the face of this worse and worse record on public policy by Republicans on our issues. Mr. Cooper said, ‘Well at least they’re not saying bad things about us.' That’s just extraordinary. Again, 30 years ago when we were emerging from the vice of prejudice, I understood that. But no, we shouldn’t be accepting a kind of second class citizenship, [and saying], ‘You can treat us badly as long you don’t yell at us.’

"They’re accepted on [the GOP's] terms. They’re willing to be accepted with no rights -- no right to marry, no right to serve in the military, no right to be protected against hate crimes, no right to be protected in employment. I’ll be honest: For 20 years now I’ve heard how the Log Cabins are going to make Republicans better, but they’ve only gotten worse. I now understand why they call themselves Log Cabin: their role model is Uncle Tom." -Rep. Barney Frank, speaking today on Michelangelo Signorile's show at the DNC.


Reposted from Joe

Zach Wahls, Son of a Lesbian Couple, Addresses DNC

Watch DNC Video on Don't Ask-Don't Tell


Watch DNC Video About President Obama's Support For Gay Marriage


Via AmericaBlog Gay: Why it's a huge deal that Michelle Obama endorsed gay marriage in her convention speech

Last night, during her keynote address at the Democratic Convention, First Lady Michelle Obama, in so many words, endorsed marriage equality:

Via Another Angry Voice / FB:


Via Barack Obama / FB: This is the Party of Inclusion


Via Buddhism on Beliefnet :


Daily Buddhist Wisdom






Cut through five, let go of five, & develop five about all. A monk gone past five attachments is said to have crossed the flood. Practice jhana, monk, and don't be heedless. Don't take your mind roaming in sensual strands. Don't swallow--heedless-- the ball of iron aflame. Don't burn & complain: 'This is pain.'
- Dhammpada, 25, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Via JMG: Will Prop 8 To Be On SCOTUS Docket?


Scottie Thomaston reports an interesting development at Prop 8 Trial Tracker:
The Supreme Court docket page for Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Prop 8 case, has a new notice that the case has been “DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 24, 2012.” The September 24 conference is the first time this term that the Justices will meet privately and look at petitions for certiorari to decide which cases they will accept for review.
Usually, the Court announces its orders from conferences on the Monday following the conferences, however if they do take up the Prop 8 case on September 24, they could announce as early as the next day whether the full Court will review the case. It takes four votes to grant review.
If the Court denies the petition, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision stands, and Proposition 8 will be invalidated, though the case won’t set a nationwide precedent. If they decide to review the case, they’ll reach a final decision on the merits at the end of June 2013.
The Court could also potentially ‘relist’ the case for a later conference. This would mean instead of making a decision at the September 24 conference, the case would be held and listed for a subsequent one.

Reposted from Joe